Pioneer Work

Of Toa

The Solomons Service

Letter to the Editor AN article in your March issue, under the heading “Qantas on the Sydney- Solomon Islands Run,” written by your correspondent from Honiara is, I feel, extremely misleading, due to the number of incorrect statements it con tains.

I should be grateful of the opportunity to express my views on the matter of air services to the Solomon Islands, and to correct any wrong impressions.

In the first place, Qantas have not yet succeeded in establishing a service to the British Solomon Islands—one hears that they find the Catalina not so suitable.

However, it is a fact that an oil company did refuse to supply petrol to Trans Oceanic Airways in favour of Qantas and, when one considers that the fuel stocks were laid principally for use by Trans Oceanic Airways, one can only assume that the Government airline has consider able sway over the oil company concerned.

Naturally, TOA was forced to make other arrangements, and future fuel supplies are now assured.

Your correspondent states that twelve passengers awaited the “uncertain” re turn of the TOA flyingboat, from Feb ruary 13. As the plane was not scheduled to leave Sydney, northbound, until Feb ruary 15 these passengers would have been very foolish had they done so. Actually, due to the extension of this flight to the Caroline Islands, and the delay in obtain ing fuel supplies, everyone had been ad vised that the flying boat would return on the 23rd, and on the 23rd it did return, passengers leaving Honiara by boat early on the morning of the 24th to embark the same day at Tulagi.

It was also stated that “allocation* of seats for the through flight (Solomons- Sydney) have necessarily been very limited” and that therefore “the new ser vice is welcomed.” Has anyone from BSI ever been refused a passage on TOA? De finite priority has always been given to travellers from the Solomons, whether they were booked right through to Syd ney or not, as it was realised that alter native means of transport for them was very limited.

The statement that the Solomon Islands Government is “welcoming the new service” may be right; but to say that they are “cutting away a consider able amount of red tape” is most unfair to the administration. From personal acquaintance with these officers, and a knowledge of the policy of the Govern ment, I am sure that all legitimate opera tors would be treated in the same way.

Both individually and collectively, the administration has fostered and sup ported Trans Oceanic Airways from the inception of the service, and it is only natural that they would similarly aid any other desirable operator. But to say that they would grant unfair advantages over the company who pioneered the ser vice is a reflection on their integrity.

May I take this opportunity of remind ing your correspondent, and others who may have the same leanings, that TOA is a private enterprise, is staffed entirely by ex-servicemen and did pioneer the route at a time when shipping was by no means plentiful. It has provided the BSIP with a regular connection for almost two years, giving safe and comfortable travel by large four-engine flying-boat.

Which reminds me that one of the few things the South Pacific Air Conference decided, when it met some years ago, was

that there was an awful lot of water in the Pacific and that air services in that area were a job for four-engine aircraft.

I am, etc.,

Bryan W. Monkton

Managing Director Trans Oceanic Airways Pty., Ltd.

Sydney, 18/4/49. « In St, Columba’s Church, Wilston, Bris bane, on March 5, Miss Margaret J. Cheet ham was married to Mr. Donald M. Briggs of New Britain.